Guess what?! TOMORROW IS RACE DAY!!! I’ve been trying to have a lighter day so that I have as much energy as possible tomorrow morning. That said, my app tells me I have already walked 10 miles today. Oops!
Shakeout run
My morning began with a light 3 mile jog around the city. I passed by the Dancing House and crossed two different bridges (not Charles). The weather was perfect — so sunny and just the right amount of chilly!
Coffee & Brunch
By the time I finished my run and got ready for the day, it was already 10 am. I hopped on the tram to the other side of the city to stop by an espresso bar called 25,2 rpm. It was a super tiny place. Probably the tiniest I have ever seen! There was a total of two tables. The vibes were very hip/grunge which was fun and different. I ordered a double espresso, and it came out in a little ceramic bowl! It was probably the best espresso I’ve ever had.
Next, I went on the hunt to find brunch. I tried to go to Letka Cafe again, but it was super busy. Instead, I found a place called TEJSTY crepes. I’m not gonna lie, I wish I would’ve just waited at Letka because I did not particularly enjoy my breakfast at the other place. My little pancakes had sour cream and raspberry sauce on them which made for an interesting flavor. Oh well! It’s good to try new things 🙂
Shopping at Palladium
My next stop was Palladium, which is a huge mall with stores like H&M, Mango, Adidas, and Marks & Spencer’s. I was on the hunt for an outfit that I could wear to tonight’s opera performance at the National Theater! I had booked tickets without even thinking about what I would wear. While the theater technically doesn’t have a dress code, it seems pretty important to dress your best. I walked past the National Theater last night and saw people in full suits and dresses!
I ended up finding a long black dress that I could wear. Yay! And while I was at it, I also picked up the cheapest hoodie and sweatpants that I could find. I also forgot that I would need warm clothes (not just shorts and a tank top) to wear while I’m waiting for the race to start tomorrow morning. Luckily, the clothes won’t go to waste after I toss them at the start. They’re being donated to the needy!
Trying koláč for the first time
One of the most popular pastries in the Czech Republic is the koláč, so I had to try it! I don’t recall trying one the last time I was here.
I went to a place called Kolacherie Kampus Hyberneská, which was fairly close to Palldium. I was happy to see that there were still some pastries available in the early afternoon! I was a bit worried that they would be all sold out.
I got a blueberry and cream cheese koláč, and it may have been the best pastry I have ever tried! I’m serious. It was so good.
Opera at the National Theater
Tonight’s adventure was an opera performance, “The Bartered Bride” at the National Theater. The performance started at 7pm, so I made dinner reservations at a nearby Italian restaurant called Oliva Nera for 5pm.
The restaurant was elegant (and quite empty at 5pm!). I sat next to the window at a candle-lit table. I loved being next to a window because it meant that I could people watch!!! I ordered some olives and truffle & parmesean pasta. The olives were HUGE. The biggest olives I have ever seen! And I have even toured an olive farm before 🤔. Halfway through my bowl of olives I thought, “Damn, maybe I shouldn’t have ordered these. What if I choke and die?!”
Alas, I survived the olives.
At about 6:15, I made my way to the National Theater. It was perfect timing because they opened the doors two minutes after I got there! I spent some time exploring the theater and found my spot in the 2nd balcony. I had the most amazing view! It turns out, the second balcony is perfectly level with the screen that displays subtitles, so I could easily watch and understand what’s happening at the same time! FYI the performance was entirely in Czech.
The Bartered Bride is supposedly one of the most traditional Czech operas, which is why I wanted to experience it! It’s a lighthearted comedy about a woman who is in love with a man, but her family makes a deal with another family that she will marry their son. The son is very awkward and is constantly stuttering throughout the entire performance. Funny enough, the love of her life makes a deal that he will “sell” his love for a sum of money, IF she marries the son.
SPOILER ALERT: it turns out, he (the love of her life) is one of the two sons. His parents thought he ran away or something. Anyway, he essentially tricks the broker into paying him to marry his true love.
There are several random, funny moments throughout the performance. There’s a dance battle, which was a mix of modern hip hop and the polka (traditional Czech dance). There was a real life dog that kept randomly running across the stage. And the BEST was a scene towards the end where a bunch of white monkeys (people dressed as monkeys, not real ones hahaha) were jumping on trampolines and doing crazy aerial dance. I couldn’t believe how high up the aerial dancers were! With no support?!?!
Overall, I really loved this opera. I was so happy to experience opera for the first time ever, and I will definitely go again!
My apologies for the abrupt ending, but it is RACE DAY tomorrow. I am so nervous. Goodnight!
Clara